Operation Thesis July 23rd 1943

Following a recent Commando raid on Crete, the German garrison there had shot 100 Cretans who had assisted the raiders. In retaliation a strong air strike was laid on, and three wings of Air Defence, Eastern Mediterranean Hurricanes assembled in the Sidi Barrani and Bu Amud areas, together with Spitfires of 80 Squadron. On the morning of 23rd 93 Hurricanes from 11 squadron took to the air in three formations, each of which was led to the target by Beaufighters of 227 squadron, seven of which took part. The Hurricanes were to be followed in by eight Baltimores of 454 squadron, and the whole force was to be covered during the withdrawal byt the Spitfires.

Each wing took a separate segment of the island, but they were from the start somewhat restricted as to targets; advised to avoid airfields as the light flak defences were considered too strong for a low level strafe, they were also ordered to avoid shooting-up Cretan property. Consequently on arrival they found little to attack, and inflicted only minimal damage. the tragedy was however that while no enemy aircraft were met in the air, the flak defences away from the airfields proved most effective also and no less than 13 Hurricanes failed to return! Worse was to come, the Baltimores arrived to find the gunners fully alerted and lost five of their number, a sixth barely managing to get back to base.

From Pictorial history of the Mediterranean Air War, Vol II by Christopher F. Shores

Also:

Folkhard LH

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One important function for the LRDG ( Long Range Desert Group ) was transporting agents behind enemy lines. It was this role that led to the nickname " Libyan Taxis Ltd ". One of their "clients" was Vladimir Peniakoff ( Popski)."

From Commando by Sally Dugan

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From February 1941 to January 1943, 37 generals (or colonels) held major commands in Libya and Egypt (Panzer-Armee "AFRIKA", Deutsche Afrika Korps and the divisions of those two formations).

Out of the 37 generals (or colonels) who took over a major command during the course of the campaign, four (von Randow, von Prittwitz und Gaffron, Neumann-Silkow and Summermann) were killed in action - five if we include Rommel's replacement in command of the Panzer-Armee, Stumme, who died of a heart attack during a bombing raid - with another six wounded (Nehring, Fehn, von Liebenstein, von Bismarck, von Esebeck and Kleeman) and three taken prisoner (Crüwell, von Thoma and von Ravenstein).

The beginning of the campaign saw a veritable bloodbath. During the first twelve months of fighting (March 1941-March 1942), Rommel lost no less than 6 commanders: von Prittwitz, commander of 15./PD was killed in April 1941; Neumann-Silkow and Summermann, commanders of 15./PD and 90./ le. "AFRIKA" Div. , suffered a similar fate in December 1941 ; von Ravenstein, commander of 21./PD, was captured in November 1941, Crüwell in March 1942; von Esebeck, commander of 15./PD, was wounded in July 1941.

"AFRIKA" Kommandeurs

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" During the first six months of the siege of Tobruk, the garrison suffered more than 750 air raids in which up to 150 enemy aircraft were destroyed, a drain on the pilots of the Luftwaffe that seems to have escaped the historians from both sides, who appear to have been mesmerised by the air battles over Malta. "

Tobruk-the birth of a legend by Frank Harrison

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John Hurst Edmondson VC (8 October, 1914–14 April, 1941) was the first Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross in ww2.

John Hurst Edmondson - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

On the night of 13th-14th April, 1941, a party of German infantry broke through the wire defences at Tobruk, and established themselves with at least six machine guns, mortars and two small field pieces. It was decided to attack them with bayonets, and a party consisting of one officer, Corporal Edmondson and five privates, took part in the charge. During the counter-attack Corporal Edmondson was wounded in the neck and stomach but continued to advance under heavy fire and killed one enemy with his bayonet. Later, his officer had his bayonet in one of the enemy and was grasped about the legs by him, when another attacked him from behind. He called for help, and Corporal Edmondson, who was some yards away, immediately came to his assistance and in spite of his wounds, killed both of the enemy. This action undoubtedly saved his officer's life.

Shortly after returning from this successful counter-attack, Corporal Edmondson died of his wounds. His actions throughout the operations were outstanding for resolution, leadership and conspicuous bravery."

An hour later, 200 German infantrymen attacked the post, forcing the Australians to withdraw, and established a bridgehead in the outer defensive line. However, the fierceness of the platoon's defence pressured Rommel into diverting troops from his main attack. The attack failed, with the German tanks being mauled and forced to retreat with heavy casualties.

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Lieutenant-Colonel Hartnell of 19 Battalion greets Brigadier Willison of 32 Army Tank Brigade at Ed Duda, the first relief of Tobruk | NZETC

Lieutenant-Colonel Hartnell of 19 Battalion greets Brigadier Willison of 32 Army Tank Brigade at El Duda, the first relief of Tobruk

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Quentin George Murray Smythe VC (6 August 1916-October 1997) was a South African recipient of the Victoria Cross.

Quentin George Murray Smythe - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

London Gazette, 11 September 1942. Alem Hamza, Libya, 5 June 1942, Sergeant Quentin George Murray Smythe, Royal Natal Caribineers, South African Forces. Although handicapped by a wound in his forehead, causing much loss of blood, Smythe managed single handedly to obliterate a machine gun post, taking all the surviving crew prisoner. Then, again single-handedly and armed only with rifle and bayonet, he promptly did the same with an enemy anti-tank gun crew, after which he consolidated the position. However, because of the deterioration of the situation elsewhere, Smythe found himself ordered to withdraw. In spite of a vigorous attempt by the enemy to cut him off, he managed to lead his men back to their lines. It was for this action Captain Smythe was awarded the Victoria Cross.

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Riegel mine 43 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Riegel mine 43 or (Sprengriegel/R.Mi. 43) is a German steel cased anti-tank bar mine used during the Second World War. The mine is a long thin oblong, it consists of lower and upper metal tray and an internal metal cased explosive block. It uses two ZZ42 fuzes inserted into either end of the internal block, although it can be used with an additional top pressure fuze side.

The mine is almost impossible to disarm, since the corrosion of the wires in the fuze mechanism may have made the mine sensitive to even touch, additionally the mine could be fitted with up to three anti-handling devices.

The mine is found in Egypt and Libya.

Explosive content: 4 kg of TNT

Operating pressure: Variable - 360 kg at the centre, 180 kg at the ends.

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Rommel and his first enemy in Africa

"Within eleven days of his appointment he had its armoured cars probing the front of the emasculated British Force, and in one of the ironical situations in which military history seems to abound,the first enemy he met in Libya was the last he had encountered in continental Europe. On that occasion, 3rd Armoured Brigade had escaped his clutches by taking to the boats at Cherbourg.Its fate had merely been postponed."

Tobruk-the birth of a legend by Frank Harrison

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General Prittwitz April 1941:

Von Prittwitz achieved the dubious triple honour of being the first German to be killed at Tobruk, the first man in PZ15 to be killed and the first, but by no means the last, of Rommel´s desert generals to suffer that fate.

From Tobruk by Frank Harrison

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Sand fly bites are exceedingly common in the Middle East. In August 1943, sand fly fever (caused by a phlebovirus) occurred at a peak rate of 235 per 1,000 military personnel deployed to the Persian Gulf (Hertig and Sabin 1964).

Gulf War and Health: Volume 5. Infectious Diseases

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" Battleaxe was different. This was to be a three-phase attack. First would come the destruction of Rommel´s armour and capture of the frontier posts ( a repeat of brevity );then the link-up with TOBFORCE ( the garrison ) , and finally, the expulsion of Rommel´s Army from Cyrenaica.Churchill set the aims: there was to be a decisive victory and Rommel was to be destroyed. To ensure success he bullied all the tanks he could from the War Cabinet and insisted that the convoy carrying them must risk the dangers of the Mediterranean. He told Wavell that 307 of Britain´s best tanks were on their way through the Mediterranean. In the event, 238 arrived, the remainder going down in the one ship sunk by the enemy. The convoy was named Tiger, the tanks it brought were its "pups". Alas, their bite, if measured by firepower,was still by milk teeth. The political pressure now began. Churchill demanded that these tigers be put into action at the very earliest moment and suggested that no German should remain in Cyrenaica by the end of June.

Poor Wavell! In one hand he held this signal, in the other a report on the "best in Britain" tanks. There were fiften old cruisers, 21 light tanks, 135 matildas and 67 of the new and untried Crusaders.Each of the Matildas had to spend up to 48 hours in the workshops before it was fit for action. All the tanks needed sand filters and none had been given desert camouflage. Some of the Crusaders were without wireless sets and none was available. None of the Crusader crews had been trained in the use of the new tank. Wavell was ordered to encompass the defeat of two panzer divisions using this mish-mash. Never less than honest, he signalled Churchill that success was doubtful. Then,like every good soldier in the merciless grip of a political leader, he launched an attack in which he could have had little confidence."

From Tobruk, the birth of legend by Frank Harrison

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Tobruk siege 1941

Defending the Tobruk fortress from air attacks were the guns of the 4th AA Bde and 8LAA. In overall command of the Brigade was Brigadier J.N.Slater. One of Slater´s virtues was that he was not prepared to accept a passive role for his guns or himself. He tried new tactics of his own, and eventually wrested the iniative from the Germans ( Geisler ). His first major decision was that the enemy bombers must always be met over the harbour by a barrage, appropriately named " The Harbour barrage". Next, he ordered variations in the ceiling of the barrage so that the bomber pilot could never be certain at what height he might run into it.Most important was his insistence that his crews stay at their guns under the most severe attack. There is no ambiguity in his orders on this point:

STANDING ORDERS FOR AA DEFENCE TOBRUK HARBOR Pt II

(b) if the guns are attacked when firing the Harbour barrage must be continued at all costs...The GCO will always order a Harbour barrage if there is any likelihood of an attack on the harbour. It is preferable that a barrage be fired when no attack takes place rather than that the barrage be late.

From Tobruk the birth of a legend by Frank Harrison

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Afrika Regt 361

This unit was composed of Germans who had left Germany during the rise of Hitler to supreme power, and had volunteered to serve in the French Foreign Legion. When France fell, these men were in an unenviable situation since they were considered to have deserted the Fatherland. Indeed, there is a reference in DAK communiques to their being "made up of Africans released from prison". They had been sent to Africa because of their desert experience.

Tobruk by Frank Harrison

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Tobruk and the defence line

" There were the celebrated "love and kisses" patrols. These were made daily between posts to ensure that there had been no infiltration during the previous night. A section from one post would go half-way towards the adjoining post, where it would find two sticks lying parallel. The patrol would change these to the X position. When the corresponding section from the other post arrived it changed the sticks back to the parallel position, ready for the next day. If the sticks had not been changed, the patrol would go the whole way to discover why not. "

From Tobruk by Frank Harrison

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The only officially recognized non-pilot ace of Regia Auronatica was Pietro Bonnani, who served as a gunner Aboard Z.1007 and RS. 14 reconnaissance floatplanes with 170 Squadriglia, 83 Gruppo.

I think I found some detailed kills in the net:

Pietro Bonannini Seaplane gunner - Aircraft of World War II - Warbird Forums

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" Italian industry could not produce the vehicles necessary for mechanized war. In fact the Comissiarato Generale per la Fabrica di Guerra established 150 as the maximum number of tanks per month that industry could provide. Production would reach this figure in 1941 and remain there indefinitely.Annual production would be 1,800 tanks. Italy never reached this figure because of the bombing of both Ansaldo and Fiat by the Allied.So total Italian production in the WW2 was approximately 2,800 tanks and self-propelled guns using tank chassis."

From "Iron Arm" by John Joseph Timothy Sweet

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Late 1941 and Germans in Africa:

" The true measure of the desperate fuel shortage can be gauged by the sheer numbers of aircraft the Axis were forced to abandon. During the rapid advance of mid-December 1941, no less than 458 were counted on captured airfields, many still almost intact. "

From Mediterranean air war by Christopher F. Shores

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Incl Paulus another general who was promoted to Field Marshal just before surrendering:

Field marshal Giovanni Messe

... he was promoted Marshal on May 12, 1943 and joined the Germans in surrendering to the British a day later.

Comando Supremo: Field Marshal Giovanni Messe

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"The Italian General Staff established an armored corps in 1938, the first in the world. In the occupation of Albania during the spring of 1939 the Centauro Armored division was the first such division in the world to be employed operationally."

From "Iron arm" by John Sweet

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Hey Kai if i saluted all of your posts it would take a while but thank you for posting not only in this topic but the others as well for the interesting/lesser known facts about the war I enjoy reading each post you contribute

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You were a rotten pilot when we flew in Russia you're flying a desk now but you're still a rotten pilot!

Hello Fgrun83,

Glad to hear these little anecdotes are to your liking. Personally I always keep on looking for these in the books.

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Rommel´s armor by land, and by sea the Luftwaffe, U-boats, and German light surface forces sank 72% ( by tonnage ) of the British warships and 80% of the British merchant shipping lost in the Mediterranean between June 1940 and September 1943.

From " Hitler´s Italian Allies" By Knox

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Wow, that is a high percentage. For some reason I had the impression that the German/Italian forces were not that successful. Then again, the Brits did have a roundabout way of getting supplies from another direction.

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Very good article about the raid.